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Residents who opposed the changes in legislation; tax revenues in the three rural counties in Alabama can breathe a sigh of relief after the bill was declared unconstitutional in court on Friday.

After months of fierce resistance from residents of Randolph, Clay and House district, Senate bill 476, 486 and 487 will not enter into force on 1 July. The bills would be sent to tobacco tax money collected in the countries with the three members of the grant fund controlled by legislators.

“After meeting with the Attorney General, he convinced us we should have been re-advertised the bill, and that it was unconstitutional,” said Sen. Gerald Dial, R-Lineville, one of the three bills’ sponsors. “We’re not going to support some general rules Attorney unconstitutional.”

Meeting set and the Attorney General came in response to a lawsuit filed in Clay County against the recruitment, Rep. Richard Laird, R-Roanoke, and Rep. Duwayne Bridges, R-Valley – sponsors of the bill. Similar complaints were filed in Randolph and Chambers of Commerce.

Attempts to reach the office of the Attorney General on Monday were unsuccessful.

The accounts have attracted a storm of opposition in the rural districts after the first appearance in the local newspapers earlier this year. The efforts of the bipartisan organization of county officials have led to public hearings in the House of Montgomery in May, where the opposition attacked the creation of a “slush fund” created by the bill. The group also questioned the motives of the legislators responsible for the bills and the arguments for getting money from the Randolph County Water Authority and the clay and the Chambers County Commission.

Dial said the problem with the legality of the accounts “were laid only in their advertising. In its original form, the bills are designed to re-route money from tobacco taxes in the creation and maintenance of the legislative district, but the final version of the bill does not mention the office. Instead, the money will be spent on establishment of a fund, a grant-controlled set, Laird, and bridges.

“Many people do not want to open an office backup,” Dial said. “So we’re done with that, of the bill, and this is the part that made it unconstitutional.”

The position of attorney general is the same as Governor Robert Bentley took last month when he vetoed the bill. Lawmakers voted to override Governor’s veto.

Greg Warner, a lawyer representing Ashland Clay County Commission in the lawsuit, said the decision of the Attorney General “comfort”, but said he has other problems with the accounts, in addition to its advertising.

“There are still problems with the bill not only procedural,” said Warner. “We hope that the judge will decide that the essence of the bill is also unconstitutional.”

In particular, Warner said: “The creation of a” slush fund “that pools the money to be used at the discretion of the account” bills sponsors are not only unethical – as he and other residents retained after the introduction of bills – but also illegal.

“The law is quite clear that the Legislature can not create a committee of its members and the taxpayers’ money to fund it and give yourself the freedom of,” said Warner. “It should have some control and participation of the executive power.”

Warner said another potential blow to the bill may come with the adoption of the last lines of the Senate District, Clay County cut in half. Western Pacific Region, including the majority of Ashland, County will no longer be part of a set of Senate District, while residents of the district continues to pay the tax on tobacco products contribute to the fund is only available for the area.

“Half of Clay County continues to pay for other areas,” said Warner. “I think it is completely unconstitutional.”

If the judge does not rule out the contents of the bills as unconstitutional, they can be re-advertised and are logged in as the new bills in the next legislative session.

“We have not met to discuss that yet, but I’m sure we will,” said Monday Laird. “I can tell you, we can not change any advertising in next time for sure.”

Laird was the only one of three lawmakers to appear at the hearing on Friday in Clay County, but does not say. He said that the decision not to protect the accounts were based on current funding requirements for organizations such as volunteer fire departments and animal shelters in the country contributed to the tobacco tax money.

“The only possible action the judge would have been to put everything on hold,« Laird said. “All of these agencies that receive money will go without funding but it took several months to decide.”

With new accounts amazed taxes on tobacco products will continue to work within existing laws, that is money that should have been taken out of the water body and the Randolph County and Clay County Commission Chambers will be restored.

Last week, Ashland attorney, Gregory M. Varner filed suit in district court and in his home county of Clay and Randolph County on Tobacco Control, the local legislative delegation of tax bills, Claims are looking for solutions that Senate Bill 486, relating to Randolph County, and Senate Bill 476 in Clay County are unconstitutional. Being a lawsuit in Randolph County are state Sen. Gerald Dial, Rep. Richard Laird, Rep. DuWayne Bridges, Dr. Marquita Davis, Alabama Director of Finance, and Thomas L. Wright, Jr., State Comptroller.

Warner filed a number of five actions on behalf of Randolph County Industrial Development Board, Randolph County water, sewer, power and fire protection, and as a person: Hutch Hammond, Faye Sims Smith and Todd Freeman. He said that there is some belief that only certain individual in the lawsuit. Freeman, Hammond and Smith are listed as Randolph County citizens and taxpayers. Davis and White sued in their official capacity. Warner contends SB 486 unconstitutional, null and void, and said the plaintiffs want the ban as a temporary and permanent, not allowing changes and changes in income distribution Randolph County taxes on tobacco.

In the end, Warner said that the costumes are designed for each of the accounts in each district set aside as unconstitutional. In addition, the counties of Clay will be taxation without representation. Citizens will pay the tax on tobacco products in the Community Service Grant Authority is currently controlled by the Dial, bridges and Laird districts, but after the entry into force of this money will be controlled by people who do not represent Clay County. After 2014 parts of the country will be represented by one senator and two other members who are not members of the body of the grant. Clay is no longer in the Laird, and much of it will not be in the face.

“That’s why we bring a suit, number one; the bills were passed in regard to the overwhelming opposition of all countries. We protect the taxpayers’ money, and in the words of the governor, the closure of the slush fund, which is unconstitutional,” said Warner. Randolph County Industrial Development Board of the plaintiff, because when the bill becomes effective July 1, it limits the powers of the Board to manage its affairs and the limits of its use of funds, according to the complaint.

This will lead to inevitable and irreparable damage to the two authorities (Water Authority and the Industrial Development Board), the cessation of expansion of the planned expansion of the water line to provide water for many rural communities and will include the termination of valuable and experienced staff to RCIDC, the complaint alleged. Water Authority says an average of $ 50,000 will be sent annually from the operating budget for this bill. The complaint says the governor, Robert Bentley veto SB 486, stating that the bill was not properly advertised as required by law in Alabama. The Senate and the House eventually overcame the veto of the executive.

Jeremy King, Deputy Director of Communications in the office of the governor, said: “Governor Bentley believes that the bill is unconstitutional, and he was very open about the fact that since the purpose of his veto. The fact that the Legislature has overcome his veto will not change their opinion on the matter. ” Warner said during a recent visit to the Governor in Clay County man in a group session, thanked the governor for his veto, the governor referred to the fund set up accounts as a slush fund and said that they are unconstitutional.

Warner asked the governor to join the suit, and he said he did not know if he could do it, but it will look like in it. Means the Industrial Development Board of the tobacco tax may, as stated in the bill, but is spent on attracting new and existing industries, and not more than 20 percent of the revenue can be spent on staff and / or related personnel. This limits the discretion of the Council for Industrial Development, which prohibits the use of funds for work on the broader economic development initiatives such as workforce development and job training, the complaint says.

Dial the complaint states have changed the proposed legislation, which is not advertised as required after the change. For example, the published notice established and funded by the Community Services District Office personnel, equipment, etc., but that was removed from the amended bill. Area Community Service Grant Authority, consisting of three members of the legislative delegation has been created to allocate funds. Furthermore, the distribution of tobacco has been changed, as well as the effective date of SB 486.

The complaint also alleged, SB 486 discriminatory, since the tax is levied in Randolph County can be used in other countries. David Meddick, chairman of the Randolph County Democratic Executive said that the group plans to meet and decide to join this lawsuit or not. House District discussed in closed session Monday, but took no action.

Clay County Commissioner Roy Johnson, and individuals, Terry Meek, Mary Wood and Andrea Jackson filed a lawsuit in Clay County against the same people, but added, Johnny McReynolds, chairman of the Alabama Forestry Commission, Clay County Industrial Development Board and the citizens for the welfare of animals in the county Clay as a defendant. Their opposition in the Senate Bill 476. The complaint also requests that the defendants be ordered to the allocation of funds in accordance with the instructions of SB 476. The legislation will divert about $ 117,000 from the operating budget Clay County Commission. SB 476 would increase the percentage of clay county income taxes on tobacco products from 32 to 35 percent will be Forestry Commission. Industrial Development Board, the amount increases according to a new bill from 20 to 25 percent. No current recipient of funds under these bills the citizens for the welfare of animals in Clay County will receive 15 percent of the income tax on tobacco.

The complaints are similar except when SB 476 takes effect from $ 68,000 annually will be sent to Clay County Commission of the General Fund and $ 48,000 will be withdrawn from the fund committee, dedicated to the water mains supply. Services may be eliminated or reduced. The planned expansion of the water line may be terminated. The complaint also said the percentage set aside for the Community Service Grant authority in all three districts: District 476 S. Clay points to 25 percent, or an average of $ 60,000 per year, Randolph County SB 486 points to 10 percent, or $ 50,000 per year, and District Chamber of SB 487 points to 18 percent, or roughly $ 90,000 per year.

The census is 13 932 Clay County, Randolph County is 22,913, and Chambers County is 34,215. Per capita, Clay County residents will pay $ 4.30, $ 2.18 Randolph residents and residents of Chambers $ 2.63. The complaint alleged, Clay County residents pay more per capita funding for the grant of authority. Dial and Laird did not immediately return phone calls Tuesday for comment on the suit. Previously, Dial said, if people want to spend their money filing a lawsuit is their business. He said the Attorney General Luther Strange will protect them.

Down by 63,000 votes, the initiative to be voted for a $ 1 per pack tax on cigarettes has been largely abandoned to die in the night on June 5 at Primary Election. Then, the election workers throughout California started counting the countless stacks of ballots – more than a million of them, mostly by mail within a day or two before the election or transfer to the polls.

The gap in the vote on the tobacco tax, Proposition 29, has started to narrow. And narrow. On Friday night, the margin of defeat was reduced to 16,778 votes – or four-tenths of 1 percent. “I think we’re still definitely in it,” said Jim Knox, California Division American Cancer Society, one of the main supporters of the Yes campaign 29. “In any case, it looks like it will be coming as the result of the vote in recent history -. If you do not ever”

Knox remains cautious for good reason. This measure was back on 29,000 a week ago, 42,000 on Thursday and then fell to the smallest gap on Friday. But the chances of 29 winning campaigns are taking off for a long time: about 52 percent of the remaining 436,000 countless ballots must contribute to measures that would fund research into cancer and anti-smoking campaign. The proposal has reached or exceeded the level of support in only 16 out of 58 counties in California.

“It’s not very likely, not if he gets the vast majority of the outstanding ballots in districts where it feels very good,” said Stephen Weir, Contra Costa County registrar of voters. In countless ballots were counted, some of the biggest gains came from large districts, where support for tobacco taxes received strong support, including Alameda, Contra Costa and Santa Clara. The measure also took land in San Diego County, where he is still behind by 1 percent. The measure took a minute increase – 0.2 percent – in voter-rich Los Angeles County, where she continues to lose by 1.2 percent, election figures show.

A spokesman for 29 campaigns is not funded by the tobacco industry, said the campaign was happy to remain in “such a good position.” “Coming out of the election night with 60,000-plus vote lead, we always felt in a good position to hold on and be successful when all the votes are counted,” said Beth Miller. “We do not see anything at this point, to lead us to believe anything else.” Counting may continue to fluctuate until 6 July, the deadline for county elections officials to provide certified results. After the official announcement of the results, every voter has the right to demand a recount, but requests must be made by counties and paid by the person making the request.

Proposition 29 will add $ 1 per pack tax on cigarettes to raise about $ 860 million a year to study tobacco-related diseases and prevention programs. The American Cancer Society and cycling champion Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, was one of the biggest supporters of this measure, raising more than $ 11 million to support the ballot initiative. Tobacco giant Philip Morris USA and RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company poured nearly $ 47 million in “no” campaign and joined the fight against tax and business groups.

Fluctuating counts are common in a few weeks after Election Day, and countless ballots are processed and updated from time to time, countries. Some registrars to wait until all ballots are counted, to report their voting update, others do it as they go. “Having received through this experience before, I always caution against making bold predictions of victory or defeat, until it is mathematically impossible for any other result,” said Democratic political consultant Brian Brokaw.

Brokaw worked as a consultant for the campaign of the democratic state Attorney General Kamala Harris, DA in 2010, when Harris defeated Republican Steve Cooley, Los Angeles District Attorney, by less than 1 percentage point. Cooley, in effect, declared victory on election night. A few hours after he walked on stage in the Beverly Hilton Hotel to deliver the news, Cooley was back. Over the next three weeks, 2300000 more ballots were counted, the leading switches back and forth, until Harris finally pulled ahead for good.

“The vote will swing in the hundreds, sometimes thousands,” Brokaw said. “We were careful never to get our hopes too high.”

Regardless of the outcome, the fact that the initiative in tobacco taxes accounted for a significant ground after the Election Day drew attention to the campaign and election experts.

Figuring out what sways postal voters was decisive: almost half of the votes into a ballot by mail. Some speculate that they may be younger or busy parents a little free time, and their voices of liberal tendencies. Others believe they may have been swayed Yes 29 campaign ad, which aired at the end of the campaign.

“There’s a lot that happens in campaigns at the end. There are probably more people who are still waiting,” said Secretary of State Debra Bowen, the chief elections official in California.

Bowen dismissed the conventional wisdom that conservatives usually sooner-mail newsletters and liberals end. As you can see, she says, is that most partisan Republicans and Democrats tend to send their ballots early, because they make up their minds early on.

Late ballots tend to reflect the results of the traditional polling stations, she said.

With regard to the apparent end of the surge proposal 29, it does not express an opinion. Too many factors were in play, she said, the new “top two” primary system, counties, and millions spent on independent campaign expenditures.

“Was it a pizza or a beer that caused you to gain 15 pounds during their first year in college?” she joked.

Federal excise taxes are sometimes seen as a panacea for state aid, causing the much-needed revenue, discouraging bad behavior.

Some lawmakers and human rights organizations for many years considered the excise tax on motor fuel, alcohol and tobacco in particular, for underwriting the cost of elixirs worthy of government programs and prevent excessive movement, drinking and smoking, which are harmful to the environment and bad for your health.

But recent studies show that there are sometimes unintended consequences of raising the federal excise tax, and state policy makers do not always get the results they expect or hope.

“They pitched and sold as such income hubs, which should reduce the deficit and reduce debt astronomically and just never really loses”, PJ Austin, an analyst at advocacy group Citizens Against Government Waste, said Tuesday. “What you end up seeing that they often distort the market and drive customers lower taxes, or places to places that have no tax at all.”

Example: Children’s Health Insurance Program extension of the law was signed into law by President Obama in February 2009 to provide benefits for the health of children from poor families. The program will be funded by raising rates on the federal tax on cigarettes from 30 cents per pack to $ 1.01 per pack – in effect, forcing the tobacco industry to pay for expanded federal health care programs.

But the April report of the Government Accountability (GAO) found that the largest manufacturers of tobacco escapes tax burden increase cigarette production by moving other tobacco products that are subject to lower tax rates.

Manufacturers of cigarettes was reported to easily avoid the full impact of the excise tax increase, because the law was vague in differentiating between classes of products that should have been taxed at the new high speed and those that will continue to be taxed at a lower rate. For example, a large increase in the excise tax on roll your own tobacco and cigars has led to a small increase in production – and popularity among consumers – of pipe tobacco and big cigars.

GAO found that as a result of these market changes, excise taxes is much less revenue than originally projected. Between 2009 and the end of fiscal 2011, the Ministry of Finance raised $ 40 billion income tax increase as a result of a cigarette. However, during the same period, according to GAO, the Treasury lost between $ 615 million and $ 1.1 billion in federal revenues due to the producer and the consumer transition from roll your own tobacco, pipe tobacco.

Yesterday, the Congressional Budget Office released a report speculating on its strength increasing the federal excise tax on cigarettes even more.

The study raises the question of how the government will save health care costs and how much revenue it can raise to offset the budget if the tax on cigarettes and cigars, little was raised to 50 cents per pack – to $ 1.51 – and taking into account inflation.

The federal government spends a staggering $ 1 trillion a year on health care programs, including Medicare and Medicaid, and Children’s Health Initiative. “So it’s easy to imagine that policies that promote a healthier population may have a significant impact on the federal budget,” said CBO.

Think again.

Of course, the average annual health spending per capita will be reduced because of improvements in health due to smoke less, the study said. As a result, the cost of major federal health programs would be lower for several years, than they would otherwise.

In the long term, however, less federal spending will be higher for retirement, and federal health programs, as an increase in the number of beneficiaries due to increasing longevity outweighed the decline in the average federal spending on health per capita.

The expected improvement in the overall health of Americans will increase revenues by increasing revenue, partly because people can work longer than they would otherwise, according to a study CBO.

Analysis of the CBO assumes that the increase in excise tax on cigarettes by 50 cents per pack would reduce the federal budget deficit will total $ 42 billion by 2021, or about $ 4 billion a year. There may be some other positive effects of income for the state in terms of additional income and payroll taxes generated by the expanded number of healthy workers in the labor force.

But most importantly, CBO said: “Taken together, the health effects of an increase in federal excise taxes on cigarettes will produce a small net deficit reduction over five years and a very small increase in the deficit in the future.”

The influx of money from tobacco companies leads to a shift in the electorate to vote against the proposal cigarette tax

California Proposition 29 ballot initiative to add $ 1 tax on a pack of cigarettes, has failed to work in the state ballot on Tuesday. The vote was so close; it took more than three days to determine the outcome. That vote was so close, both sides were divided by 53,000 votes out of 3.8 million ballots cast on Thursday, said the powerful impact of cash in swaying voters.

In March, a statewide poll of 67 percent of Californians supports a tax that will fund the cancer and tobacco-related health research. The proposal was majority support in all age groups and political affiliations. But as the date of the vote approached, and the money from Big Tobacco glove, voter attitudes began to change.

March 1, the cost of those who are against it, to support 29 was $ 9 million, depending on the application state elections. From March 1 to May 18, they spent $ 40 million.

It costs coincided with a significant shift in the electorate in moderation. May 23 poll, published in the same group, non-partisan Public Policy Institute of California showed that support for Prop 29 has fallen 14 points in March.

The opposition has raised more than $ 47 million, or 96 percent of which came from the big tobacco companies and their subsidiaries, according to campaign finance nonprofit MapLight. Although exact figures are not expenses will be available until July, it is safe to assume that it is not 29, the main opposition groups have continued to spend heavily in the last few weeks before the vote.

“Tobacco companies will not spend more than $ 40 million during this period, not having received what they wanted, they seek a return on investment,” said Daniel Newman MapLight. “This is extremely spent on advertising to convince California, not necessarily to teach their proposals.”

Pro-Prop 29 coalition led by the American Cancer Society and the Lance Armstrong Foundation, $ 12.3 million spent only about one quarter more, as against.

However, the rejection of Prop 29 was not entirely due to the money, said Shaun Bowler, a professor of election and voter behavior at UC-Riverside.

“The intuition is that advertising has been effective,” says Bowler. “But there were these other things that she spoke, a kind of prevailing winds, and went to Big Tobacco, this time.”

On the one hand, the turnout was relatively low and relatively conservative, so the electoral bloc was predisposed to be against the new tax. On the other hand, the group to “no” vote by any initiative in a better position, since they only need to manage to raise doubts in the minds of voters. As a result of the initiative is not 60 percent of the time, says Bowler.

However, the large discrepancy of cash, coupled with a simultaneous shift in voter opinion, it is difficult to ignore.

“Of course, this is no accident,” says Newman. “The resources on both sides were very unbalanced; voters do not even get information.”

California ballot initiative to raise the tax on cigarettes, which pitted the high costs of tobacco companies from cycling legend Lance Armstrong and the mayor of New York was after the end of Wednesday morning.

Proposition 29 failed to pass by a little less than 3 percent.

The blizzard of industry-funded radio and television advertising over the past two months have reduced the gap in an attempt to impose an additional $ 1 per pack tax on cigarettes to fund cancer research.

In March, a statewide poll suggested that the measure will pass, with the approval of two thirds. But support has slipped below the percentage of the vote with more than three million ballots.

With millions of votes have not thought it could be days or more before the winner is declared.

Trying to hike taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products have become a national anti-tobacco companies pouring millions into an effort to suppress and celebrities urge voters to support him.

Taxes on tobacco products have been proven to reduce smoking. But opponents said the initiative to create an inexplicable bureaucracy and hurt the economy by sending taxpayers’ money rose in California to other states.

Additional tax in the country’s most populous state could also mean big losses for the tobacco companies.

Both camps said Tuesday night that they expected a close race and was confident.

“It will be a long night, and this is what we expected,” said Beth Miller, a spokesman for the campaign is not 29. “It was a question of voters to take a look and decide what they really do not want to support this measure, but it also stems from the fact that people usually do to support cancer research.”

Proponents promise tax revenues will remain in California and said tobacco companies had to invent arguments to hide their true motives – to ensure profits.

“We were ahead the whole night, and we expect to stay ahead,” Jim Knox, the American Cancer Society said on Tuesday. “I think that public health has received a message through the smokescreen of the tobacco companies have nearly $ 50 million campaign of disinformation.”

Armstrong and the Coalition for Tobacco Control group raised about $ 18 million to support the measure. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $ 500,000 to the campaign to help offset the industry donations.

The tax would generate about $ 735 million a year, according to the independent legislative analyst’s office.

Voters on both sides of the issue firmly on Tuesday beliefs.

“I think we should actively smoking – make it less convenient, making it more expensive,” said Susan Hayman, a Democrat, who cast her ballot at a polling station Long Beach.

In the neighboring city of Glendale, Craig Jerpseth, 43 year-old nurse was equally confident in voting down the measure, along with anything or anyone who may mean more taxes.

“I hope we get more taxes. This is pretty much it,” he said.

Many newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, oppose the action, declaring their unwillingness to join the tobacco companies. They argue that the proceeds should go to the State that Governor Jerry Brown announced last month, now faces a deficit of $ 16 billion.

With the smoking rate of 12.1 percent, California did not raise these taxes since 2000. If the measure passes in California is still only the 16th highest tax rate in the country.

California ballot initiative that pits the high costs of tobacco companies from cycling legend Lance Armstrong and the New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg was too close to call Tuesday night.

In testimony to the power-month onslaught of radio and television campaigns funded by the tobacco companies, Californians were divided on whether to slap an extra $ 1 per pack tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products to fund cancer research.

The measure was nearly 51 percent of the vote, with more than 2 million ballots. Public Policy Institute of California found that support for the initiative has fallen from 67 percent in March to 53 percent by the end of May.

An attempt to increase cigarette taxes in the state’s most populous country has attracted nationwide attention, with the tobacco companies pour millions of crush force and celebrities urge voters to support him.

Taxes on tobacco products have been proven to reduce smoking. But opponents said the initiative to create an inexplicable bureaucracy and hurt the economy by sending taxpayers’ money raised in California to other states. Additional tax in the state would also mean big losses for the tobacco companies.

Both camps said Tuesday night that they expected a close race and was confident.

“It will be a long night, and this is what we expected,” says Beth

Miller, a spokesman for the campaign is not 29. “It was a question of voters to take a look and decide what they really do not want to support this measure, but it also stems from the fact that people usually do to support cancer research.”

Supporters said that tax revenues will remain in California and create jobs. They said tobacco companies have come up with arguments to hide their true motives – to ensure profits.

Patrick Reynolds, grandson of tobacco company founder RJ Reynolds and CEO TobaccoFree.org, said Tuesday night that he felt confident and was glad to see the measure eke out a narrow lead.

Armstrong and the Coalition for Tobacco Control group raised about $ 18 million to support the measure. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave $ 500,000 to the campaign to help offset the industry donations.

The tax would generate about $ 735 million a year in revenue, according to the independent legislative analyst’s office.

At polling places around the state Tuesday, voters on both side of the issue expressed strong convictions.

In the sleepy site survey in Long Beach, attorney Susan Hyman gave her vote for a new tax on tobacco products without hesitation.

“I think we should actively smoking – make it less convenient, making it more expensive,” said Hyman, a Democrat.

At almost refused a polling station in a parochial school in the Los Angeles Craig Jerpseth, 43, said he was voting against anything or anyone who may mean more taxes.

“I hope we get more taxes. That’s a lot,” said the nurse, Glendale.

Many newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times, oppose the action, declaring their unwillingness to join the tobacco companies. They argue that the proceeds should go to the State that Governor Jerry Brown announced last month, now faces a deficit of $ 16 billion.

With the smoking rate of 12.1 percent, California did not raise these taxes since 2000. If the measure passes in California is still only the 16th highest tax rate in the country.

California has some of the toughest anti-smoking laws in the country – it is illegal in some places, smoking in his own apartment – and boasts the second lowest smoking rates per capita in 50 states. But despite all the disdain for smoking here, it was 14 years old California raised taxes on cigarettes, a tribute to the power of the tobacco industry here and the weakening of the rule of the State Tobacco ants.

This may be about to change. An array of health and anti-cancer groups has rallied around a ballot initiative to introduce a $ 1-pack tax to fund cancer research. Current tax at 87 cents for about half the national average, and has thirty-third in the country. Go to the increase in tax raised $ 47 million ad storm, the vast majority funded by the tobacco industry, which is outspending proponents by nearly 12:56 to win the greatest threat it has faced in more than ten years.

An independent poll released two weeks ago, the signal power of the attack: While the majority of California voters still say they support the proposal 29, as is known, the proportion decreased markedly since the beginning of the campaign, according to the Public Policy Institute of California poll. Voting will take place on Tuesday. The last line in the fight against smoking is very unlikely place: a state that has long been identified with advocates restrictions on smoking.

The battle has attracted national attention – Mayor Michael Bloomberg in New York amounted to $ 500,000 initiative, and Lance Armstrong, cycling champion and cancer survivor, became its chief public defender – reflects the disappointment in the anti-smoking groups by their defeat here. The legislature rejected more than 30 attempts to raise taxes on cigarettes in 30 years.

“Do you think that in California, as a healthy, progressive state a leader in smoking cessation’’ said Chris Leman, one of the organizers for the initiative.” It’s just not true. And it’s not for lack of trying.” Dominance in California as the leading state anti-smoking significantly decreased, as it was in 1998 that was during the toughest anti-smoking law in the country, according to the American Cancer Society. Since then, 23 countries have passed stringent laws. Cancer Society has contributed more than $ 7 million to get the proposal passed 29.

“California has become a leader not only in the country, but in the world in efforts to combat smoking,” said John R. Seffrin, executive director of the society.” They’re overdue.” Tax that would raise an estimated $ 735 million is currently the vote, as California has recovered from a new wave of bad news budget. Governor Jerry Brown said last month that the state is $ 16 billion deficit, and suggested a sharp round of spending cuts to deal with it.

But none of the $ 735 million will go to close the deficit. The organizers claim that the tax would be less likely to pass if voters thought that goes into the state treasury, and said that their only purpose here was to reduce smoking. Increasing the value of tobacco was the most effective way to stop smoking, especially among teenagers.

Measure the California ballot that proposes to add $ 1 tax on a pack of cigarettes has a slight eight points in the survey field survey with less than a week to go on Election Day. The results are published on Thursday showed 50 percent of likely voters backing Measure the June 5 ballot, and 42 against and 8 percent were undecided.

Field Poll director Mark DiCamillo said the findings suggest that the proposal could see the support 29 to fall in coming days that will reflect the previous two fights voting for higher taxes on tobacco products in the most populous U.S. state. “Since he was eight points better than even chance of passing, but it will be close to the election,” said DiCamillo.

Field survey results are in line with the results of a recent survey conducted by the Institute of Public Policy in California. It was found 53 percent of likely voters say they will vote for the measure, 42 percent say they will vote against and 5 percent were undecided.

In March, a survey institute found 67 percent of likely voters support Proposition 29, which indicates that the advertising blitz of the tobacco industry successfully expressed their concern about the actions of the voters. They are the vast majority support the idea of raising taxes on tobacco products, but advertising is no doubt about whom will control the revenues raised by Proposition 29, it will be, and whether it will remain in California.

The measure will increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes California to $ 1.87 for the financing of medical research, tobacco-related diseases and programs to prevent tobacco use. The money will be under the supervision of the nine members of the committee, which includes three University of California chancellors, three directors of Cancer Research Institute, a physician associated with an academic medical center and two members of the disease advocacy groups that focus on tobacco-related diseases.

Field survey results also suggest consuming industries on television and other advertising undermined support for the measure. “At the time of the survey of the field shows that voters who have already sent a mail ballot, or plan to do this before Election Day support for Prop. 29 to the edge of a ten (51 per cent to 41 per cent). However, support is narrowed to just five points among those who going to vote at their polling precinct on 5 June, “the survey report said.

“This suggests that the weight of the advertising campaign and the late decision narrows the side edge and so may have an additional effect above all votes cast,” the report said. DiCamillo noted that California voters in 2006 rejected a ballot measure offers $ 2.60 tax increase on a pack of cigarettes by 52 percent to 48 percent – after the measure carried a substantial early lead in the polls.

California voters last approved a measure to increase state tobacco taxes in 1998 and only narrowly by 51 percent to 49 percent. Field poll a week before the election, taking the measure of nine points, compared to 22 points in previous surveys. The Field Poll, conducted its latest survey from May 21 to May 29. His conclusions are based on responses from 608 likely voters in the elections in June that were interviewed in English and Spanish on landlines or mobile phones.

The maximum sampling error estimates for the survey results based on a sample of potential voters, plus or minus 4.1 percentage points to 95 per cent confidence level.

Illinois Lawmakers on Tuesday approved a plan to permanently increase taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products in order to prevent deeper cuts to state health care program for the poor.

A-pack increase will be more than double taxes on cigarettes ofIllinois, who was standing by 98 cents over the years. The measure goes to Democratic Governor Pat Quinn, who said that tax increases should be save Medicaid. In the General Assembly in the final scheduled day of the spring session, the Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan also proposed controversial measures for the restructuring of state pensions for current employees and retirees, which led to shouting Republican procedural matters.

There was less political theater in the Senate, which voted 31-27 for the bill, which will generate approximately $ 350 million of new taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products. This will allow the state to gain access to another $ 350 million from the federal budget to pay for taxpayer-subsidized health care for the poor. The measure would also raise $ 50 million in fees generated from the hospital to attract an additional $ 50 million in federal funds for health care.

Legislation is a key component in the efforts of administration and state lawmakers have Quinn come up with $ 2.7 billion in cuts and new revenue streams in the program, Medicaid Another $ 300 million previously been transferred to the health of the other funds of the state.

“By working together to pass these bills, significant progress has been made in our mission to restructure Medicaid,” Quinn said in a statement. “As a result, our Medicaid system will continue to serve millions of people inIllinoiswho rely on it.” No Republicans in the Senate voted for the measure of taxes on tobacco. Four Democrats, especially those who represent districts on the border of the state, voted against it. Republicans have argued, further reductions should have been made to Medicaid or money should be shifted from other public health programs.

“Profit, profit, revenue,” Senate Republican leader Christine Radogno of Lemont said, scolding the House Democratic majority, “in contrast to the tightening of spending at the end.” But Senator Jeff Schoenberg sponsors, D-Evanston, said in the first year the state will save $ 50 million spending on Medicaid do not have to treat smoking-related diseases. “Tax is really used for pricing some people out of the market, really,” Schoenberg said. “And that reduces the total cost for all of us who have to compensate for the difference in the provision of medical care in these high-risk individuals.”

Illinois’ cigarette tax is currently ranked 32nd among the states and theDistrict of Columbia. The state will go up to the 16th highest tax rate in states that charge $ 2 or more packs of cigarettes, anti-tobacco group said. A spokesman for the retail sale of tobacco to predict cigarette sales will fall by about 20 percent because of higher taxes. Officer for the so-called roll your own cigarette engineering, said the new taxes and regulations, in effect, ban cars in Illinois.

The house, Madigan pushed the pension plan overhaul through a committee, which aims to curb costs by reducing the annual increases. The speaker was supported by the governor, but drew criticism from House Republican Leader Tom Cross to provide a gradual transition to the $ 800 million in state pension costs for teachers in suburban and Downstate school districts, who fear that their property taxes will increase.

Madigan argued that local school districts must take responsibility for the cost of teacher pensions. The speaker said that the current method of unfair, because schools outside ofChicagowere able to sweeten pensions and teacher to pass the bills to the state. “This is not the responsibility,” said Madigan.” This is not an American.” Cross said that the attempt to shift the cost of “poison pill” that could disrupt the pension reform this spring.

“It really raises the question:” What is the dynamics up to? And he is really serious about pension reform? “Said Cross,Oswego.

Madigan told lawmakers on the House panel, pensions, legislators, government officials, civil servants, teachers, community colleges and universities, hired before January 1, 2011 will have a choice. First, they can choose lower inflation-indexed cost of living adjustments after retirement, but are guaranteed access to care plan for retiree’s health insurance and make sure that future salary increases will be calculated in their retirement. Second choice: to continue to receive 3 percent annual cost of living adjustments to pensions, but lose access to state-subsidized retiree health plan and see if higher wages are not counted in their level of pension provision.

Another twist in that proposal would provide Madigan cash balance plan for workers. When they retire, employees can take the cash balance in the account and turn it into an annuity for the pension system.

Pensions for judges were not included in the changes. Madigan said that to prevent a judge faced with a conflict of interest when they are running on any of the legal issues that are expected to hit the court. The pension problem is a heated one. It was on display Tuesday afternoon, when the Democrats refused to allow consideration of Madigan Cross amendment to remove the provision to shift the costs of teacher retirement school districts.

Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, threw papers on the table on the floor of the house and shouted at Madigan “.

Proposition 28 is the latest attempt in California to consider the timing, at a nominal value reduction of the total amount of time a person can serve in the state legislature from 14 to 12 years.

However, it also replaces the earlier proposal of the law of the 1990s 140, which limited lawmakers to spend more than six years in the Assembly and eight in the Senate. If Proposition 28 passes, lawmakers could spend all 12 years in either house of six to two years in the Assembly or three four-year terms in the Senate.

As it is, many legislators are called on from one house to another home run, and eventually serving 14 years. The offer is only 28 future members of the State Legislature. Legislators first elected, or until June 5, 2012, will continue to be limited to existing terms.

Proponents say Prop. 28 in the 1990 term limits law is not working. Six years in the Assembly, in their opinion, not enough time to learn the ropes, and not to give the Assembly leaders time to prepare for their work and execute them. As a result, legislators have become too dependent on lobbyists and staff, the only people who know how the system works.

Supporters include the California Chamber of Commerce, California Democratic Party, California Teachers Association and the League of Women Voters of California. Proportional to the 28 largest investor, with more than $ 600,000 contributed to Yes 28 Fund is a Los Angeles Federation of Labor.

Those who oppose Prop. 28 argue that this is a scam groups with special interests to fool the voters in the weakening of the term limits, which they say have worked well to support legislators in line. They include the California Tea Party group, the Republican Party of Humboldt County, Southern California Tax Revolt Coalition, and organizations outside the U.S. period.

The proposal has no direct financial impact, but it can dramatically change the composition of state legislatures, thus, affect future decisions.

Proposition 29 would impose an additional 5 percent tax on cigarettes sold each, which amounts to an extra dollar package, which will be celebrated on cancer and other medical research, and tobacco-cessation programs. The current state cigarette taxes imposed similar measures approved by voters in 1988 and 1998-87 cents per pack, so that the new rate will be more than twice those excise taxes on $ 1.87 pack.

The federal government also introduced the excise tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products from 62 cents per pack hike in the 2009 federal tax increase on the total amount of $ 1.01 per pack. Funds from the last federal campaign to go to help fund children’s health insurance program. Other excise taxes, the state is usually passed to the consumer price of cigarettes across the country as well.

American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and American Lung Association wrote Prop. 29 with a strong intention to “save lives, stop children from smoking, as well as the Cancer Research Fund.” American Cancer Society has contributed nearly $ 5 million “Yes on 29” is still with Lance Armstrong in the Federation providing $ 1.5 million.

Two of the biggest opponents of Prop. 29 are RJ Reynolds and Philip Morris, the two largest in the country’s tobacco companies. Together they have contributed more than $ 30 million to defeat Prop. 29, and subsidiaries of these companies have given more. They say Prop. 29 deficiencies that $ 735 million in annual new revenue will not stay in California, and the measure creates more bureaucracy, duplicating existing programs.

The cost of this proposal is still equal to about $ 40 million from their opponents, and $ 8.5 million in total support of the action, about 5-to-1 ratio. Analysts predict that by election day, the tobacco companies may spend as much as 16 times more money than about the camp is able to raise.

Medicaid legislation restructuring the system of Illinois was on the ice Tuesday as legislative leaders tried to figure out which part of the package and whether to pass the first tax tobacco products other than cigarettes.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, D-Chicago, House sponsor of Senate Bill 2840, said that there is more work on legislation, and state Sen. Heather Steans, D-Chicago, the Senate sponsor of the bill, said that talk of a $ 1 increase in package of tax increases on cigarettes and hike taxes on all tobacco products, including pipe tobacco. This may involve 825 million dollars, and an estimated 725 million dollars to take a higher tax on cigarettes only. This income from tax revenues, as well as the federal co-financing. Governor Pat Quinn has called for legislation to reduce the costs of Medicaid or find new money to cover some of the projected $ 2.7 billion increase for fiscal 2013 program, which begins July 1.

Dynamics of changes in large-scale program that provides medical care for the poor and carried out by state and federal funds, it is difficult. For example, one problem seems to deregulation, the bar expanding Medicaid rolls. Cook County wants to start the refusal of registration of people who would be eligible in 2014, when the health of President Barack Obama’s health care reform plan goes into effect. Lawmakers from the Cook County contribute to failure, which does not require public funds today. However, some conservative groups claim that the failure to perform will be around the end of the U.S. Supreme Court, which will decide next month whether the federal program of health care is constitutional. They also pressure on the Republicans not to vote for tax increases as part of the solution Medicaid.

At the same time, many Cook County lawmakers who favor abandonment of facilities in other parts of the law, scale back Medicaid. The refusal was part of a comprehensive amendment to SB2840, which included all the elements of the restructuring plan, except the tax on cigarettes. But the Senate bill, which considers the refusal as a separate issue. “There’s a lot of moving parts in the reform of Medicaid. This 500-page bill” Feigenholtz said. “People are going through to make sure that we have thought things through before we call it. “I think that the leaders continue to meet to make decisions about who voted for him and the formation of the roll and making sure that we are ready to move forward on this issue.” No decision on Thursday at a meeting with House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, House Minority Leader Tom Cross, R-Oswego, Senate President John Cullerton, D-Chicago, and Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno, R-Lemont.

Maryland health advocates are celebrating the upcoming tax increase on cigars, smokeless tobacco, but they do not stop there. Governor Martin O’Malley, a Democrat, is expected to sign a bill Tuesday that will raise the state tax on cigarettes without tobacco for the first time since 1999, in an effort to combat that public health officials say is a more widespread use of products among adolescents.

The measure is part of a $ 260 million in tax increases that were approved during the special session last week and will be signed into law on Tuesday. About $ 247 million increase will come from the income tax hike on the top 14 percent of workers in the country. Efforts to raise taxes on cigars, smokeless tobacco is headed by the health lobbyist Vincent DeMarco, who said his next goal is to raise $ 2-pack state tax on cigarettes to $ 3, and that he hopes to make it in the next year.

“We’re going to save thousands of young people from addiction to these products,” said Mr. DeMarco, president of Maryland Citizens Health Initiative. “We are very happy. This is a great victory for public health of Maryland.” The bill would raise the current 15 percent tax on most cigars and smokeless tobacco products, known collectively as the other tobacco products (OTP).

Since July 1, smokeless products such as chewing tobacco and snuff to be 30 per cent tax.The tax on little cigars – also known as cigarillos – will rise to 70 percent. Health advocates say, cigarillos have become popular among teenagers due to their low cost compared to cigarettes because of their exotic flavors such as cherry and vanilla. The bill would not raise taxes on premium cigars – cigars that are rolled by hand, using whole tobacco leaves – which will remain at 15 percent.

Increases are expected to generate $ 5 million per year. While the OTP tax has not changed since 1999, the tax on cigarettes went from 36 cents to $ 2 per pack, that the range – including a doubling from $ 1 to $ 2 in 2007. State officials say cigarettes in Maryland, declined by more than 30 percent over the past ten years.

Mr Marco said he wants the General Assembly to raise the tax to $ 3 packs in the coming years to further eliminate smoking, he says, to improve the health of the state and lower medical costs. Some Democrats said it was too early to raise the tax again, and many Republicans have blasted the proposal as an attack on people who want to smoke and businesses that rely on income.

Delegate Neil C. Parrott, Washington Republican, said he had heard many complaints from business owners in the Western District of Maryland, who say a tax increase leads many customers to buy food in neighboring Virginia, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. “It will hurt their bottom line significantly,” he said. “I think it really comes down to the fact that the [government leaders] want all the tax as much as they can.”

The transfer of the increase during the 2013 session of the Assembly may be difficult struggle, but Mr. Marco said he was ready to continue their fight in 2014 through the election cycle. He noted that two of the most notable recent victories over the health of lobbyists – 2007 cigarette tax increase, and in 2011 the state tax hike on alcohol sales – came immediately after the election, in which his organization and other candidates for the pressure to take a position for or against regulating tobacco and alcohol use.

Mr. Marko said lawmakers could easily kill the cigarette tax increase in the coming years, but he expects that many will pledge their support for the 2014 election cycle, so as not to appear soft to curb underage smoking and public health.

“We will do this issue the election,” Mr. Marco said. “I really think we can do it by 2015.”

The state years ago came up with the idea to tax cigarettes sold on Indian reservations. Over time, this idea has been stymied by a very simple and the inevitable question to be answered before implementing the plan: How? You can not tax the Indians on their sovereign land, but not all buy cigarettes on the reservation is a member of the tribe. Figuring out how to tax some smokers and not others was a difficult task.

Thus, before the governors of Andrew M. Cuomo has done a smart thing. They have thrown out some vague and unworkable idea – as giving the Indians vouchers to buy cigarettes without taxes. But they actually did anything. All this time, any smoker could go to the reservation and buy a pack of Marlboro or Kools – any brand – for a few dollars less than they would pay in a store with Indian lands.

Governor Cuomo has changed. He replied, “how” question of levying the tax at the wholesale level, before the cigarettes made their way to the sovereign and not subject to taxation of land. Wholesalers passed on the retail cost of the reservations and the Indians were taxed, tax-free officially.

The plan seems to be a genius glaring flaw: the governor can not force Indian retailers to buy cigarettes at inflated prices. And they do not buy them. It is unlikely that retail for a reservation of tax-free cigarettes at this time. The state sees the far-expected tax revenues as a result.

Governor – at least initially – said that cigarettes are manufactured and sold on the reservation are exempt from taxes; it was so hot to get together. It only makes sense, as implemented by Governor Cuomo’s plan to tax cigarettes at the wholesale level. If the wholesaler is an Indian, the cigarettes that they manufacture for sale in the book are not taxed. But if I go to the St. Regis Mohawk reservation and buy a pack of cigarettes, then they should be taxed, because I am from Eastern Europe, without a hint of Indian descent in my blood. This brings us to the original problem. It is difficult to tax some and not others do the same thing on an Indian reservation.

The problem lately, and not surprisingly, is more complicated than that, the government receives taxes, when the Polish guy buys a pack of native or a different brand of domestic production of smoke on an Indian reservation. Police recently stopped a large truck and confiscated cigarettes that were produced in the St. Regis Mohawk Reservation and the related book for sale in Nebraska. If the cigarettes produced on Indian land for sale on Indian land are exempt from taxes, the police should not be able to do what they did. The State argues, cigarettes were contraband when they leave the reservation without excise stamps. Now the Indians trying to answer the simple question “how?” As in, we get the cigarettes from the State of New York State Cornhusker, not getting them stolen to the police?

I suspect that there is no good answer. You can not tax them when they leave the reservation and they are taxed when they reach the land of Indians, where they are sold. It’s a mess. Confusion created by our governor. Indian business people are the only ones getting hurt when the state confiscates their cigarettes without any real justification. And plan for the state to get a lot of revenue from cigarette tax went to a great extent in the smoke, when Indian retail sales dropped almost all of the brands that can be taxed. So no one wins.

When the idea so much, tanks, perhaps it is time for the governor to get new ideas. He may want to look at the example of their predecessors and get back to doing little for the collection of taxes which nobody figured out how to raise enough.

The mood at the closing ceremony of the Congress of the Philippine College of Physicians (PCP) last week was clearly celebratory. About half of the day at noon Ways and Means Committee, House of Representatives voted for an amendment to the historical “sin taxes” on tobacco and alcohol products.

Over eight thousand people, the control panel is the largest organization of medical specialists in the country. From the very beginning of discussions on cigarette taxes, the college management has been at the forefront of the campaign, finally, the rationalization of the taxation of cigarettes, thereby substantially increasing revenues directed to health and, more importantly, the increase in retail prices in order to prevent vulnerable groups (youth and the poor population) by raising or stored in a habit.

PCP has provided technical support for the establishment of the harmful effects of smoking on health, their families and communities, as well as the entire health system. Not only is the immediate cause of smoking chronic, no communicable diseases, the habit is injurious to health system far into the future, forcing the company to spend huge sums for the treatment and rehabilitation of its victims.

The administration, led by the Department of Health, Finance and Budget, provided the necessary political will to overcome what is still unbeaten tobacco lobby, which spent huge sums to prevent any rational form of tobacco control. Showing great political will, the administration allies in the house came in force to corner pro-tobacco efforts to stop by questioning the quorum in the committee hearings.

However, a realistic anti-smoking advocates are aware that tobacco control has only just begun. Tobacco unit still has considerable power to vote and the financial muscle to soften the impact of tax reform on the floor of the house. In addition, tobacco companies continue to exert considerable influence in the corridors of executive power – from the administration of Philippine tobacco is still firmly in the hands of pro-smoking bureaucracy is fully supported in the securities industry’s Tobacco Institute, as well as trade and industry.

Even more disturbing is the possible impact of entry by other foreign cigarette in the Philippine market. British American Tobacco (of which a record was to help streamline the taxation of cigarettes) is no less aggressive, persistent and devious marketing a cigarette as his opponent, former monopoly, Philip Morris. Health of Filipino people, of course, is very low in the priorities of these two giant international companies that do not have to roll over and play dead in the face of increasing anti-smoking campaigns in the health sector.

Meanwhile, in the Senate last week, RH Bill – seeks to legalize the provision of information on reproductive health and services for all Filipino women, regardless of income status – continued painfully slow as a tortoise, the progress of adoption. One of its authors, Senator Pia Cayetano, answered the question on the floor by Senator Aquilino Pimentel Young III, whose father was one of the violent contrasts of family planning legislation throughout his many years as a senator.

One major issue raised was the need for legislation, given the fact that the current DOH has already said that family planning and other reproductive health services were the focus of health-sector strategy for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals of reducing maternal and child morbidity and mortality.

RH advocates of course respond by pointing to the record of the last administration of denial of services on the basis of political will, to some leaders of the Catholic Church. In order to ensure the sustainability of reproductive health benefits, it is important that the provision of services to be the national policy expressed in the legislation. Anything less will be the death of the Filipino people, especially poor and marginalized women with inconsistent delivery of health services, depending on the political whims of national or local leaders under the influence of the conservative Catholic extremists.

Catholic Dissent at different levels and points of disagreement with the church hierarchy would do well to read “as it was in the beginning: Soon the democratization of the Catholic Church.” This book, published in 2007 a former priest, award winning author and Northwestern University journalism professor emeritus Robert McClory.

The book describes the evolution of church government from its original democratic practices established by Christ through his gradual “monarchization” and possible adoption of authoritarianism in the middle of the century and the hardening of positions of faith and dogma in the last few centuries in response to modernity and the age of reason. At the beginning of one of the last chapters, McClory gives hope to date of dissent, saying: “Perhaps the most important reason to discuss the democratization of the Catholic Church is that it’s democratic. In its essence, in its roots and foundation, in its very reason for existence, it is of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

The Americans had the habit of smoking “a significant shift in the market,” since federal tobacco taxes were increased in 2009, a new report by the Government to an end. Sales of pipe tobacco and cigar great to be taxed at a lower rate have increased as smokers adjusted their spending habits to the new price structure.

Pipe tobacco is increasingly being used for a relatively inexpensive cardboard boxes roll their own cigarettes. Fox Valley has a few shops to roll their own machines available to customers. Kim Schaefer of Appleton Souvenir and Cigar Company says that she noticed changes in trends in tobacco use. “In fact, a few other people stand up pipe smoking,” said Schafer. Monthly sales of pipe tobacco have increased twelve times, with approximately 240,000 pounds in January 2009, more than 3 million pounds sterling in September 2011, the General Accounting Office found. Monthly sales of large cigars more than doubled, from 411 million pounds to over £ 1 billion over the same period.

Congress increased taxes as a roll of his own tobacco and a pack of cigarettes in April 2009, which makes them equal. Lawmakers passed the increase are less than the tobacco tax, which became the replacement for the deployment of their own tobacco. In Wisconsin, state cigarette taxes rose by $ 1.75 per pack from the end of 2007 to the current $ 2.52, making the deployment of its own tobacco industry a cheaper alternative to cigarettes. In addition, Congress began to tax small cigars at the same rate as cigarettes. In response, manufacturers of small cigars slightly increased the weight of many of their products so that they are classified as lower taxed big cigars, although they are often just a little more than cigarettes and often have filters.

Premium cigars are hand-made high retail price of $ 3 to $ 20 or more each, but “less than factory manufacture of cigars, which meet the legal definition of a large cigar can cost as little as 7 cents per cigar,” GAO reported. Market shift to cost the federal government is estimated to $ 615 million to $ 1.1 billion in uncollected tax revenues in the period from April 2009 and September 2011, the report said. It does not estimate how many individual states may have lost in uncollected taxes.

“This is real money and the scheme of tax evasion of Congress should be interested in ending the” Gregg Haifley, deputy director of federal relations at the American Society Network for Cancer Control Cancer, the report said the GAO. “It is also counterproductive to public health from tobacco taxes.”

The report calls for closing tax loopholes

Liggett CEO Ron Bernstein, whose company sells discount cigarettes that are taxed at a higher rate, said his company estimates the tax loopholes cost the government more. About 2.7 million people bought a roll of their own cigarettes in the past year, and can grow to 3 million in 2012, he said, citing data from the Ministry of Finance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In a written response to the GAO report, Treasury officials noted that the figures in the report «are not the actual loss of income, and your estimate of income increases, if Congress were to change the law to eliminate the disparity.” This GAO Recommendation: Congress should eliminate the disparity. According to the report of the GAO, the woman is one of the tobacco companies said that she did not know the difference between a roll your own tobacco company formerly produced it, and pipe tobacco, it moved to a solution – in addition to the federal excise tax.

Senator Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, has 15 co-sponsors legislation to eliminate tax differences provide income for their help in funding the individual with disabilities Education Act, but the bill is stuck in the Senate Finance Committee. In contrast, 176 House lawmakers and seven senators co-sponsoring the traditional production of cigars and small businesses Job preservation law that exempts large, premium cigars from regulation by the Food and Drug Administration.

Warning of the family and tobacco smoking law in 2009 gave the FDA authority to regulate most immediate of tobacco products, but the agency is required to pass regulatory rulemaking cigars and pipe tobacco. The lead sponsor of the bill passed by the House, Republican Congressman Bill Posey of Florida, is considering as one of personal liberty for “admirers who love to smoke a premium product,” said spokesman George Cecala. “It would be disadvantageous to have a cigar shop. This niche is what adults do. This is not what children do.”

Currently, the cigar is defined as large if their 1000 weighs in at least three pounds. It would double to six pounds a bill passed by the House. Grand Prize and the cigar wrapper should be composed entirely of tobacco, not just the content of tobacco. And big cigars, premium will not have filters. The bill, however, has no tax component in its current form. This does not change the tax code definition of a large cigar.

Smoking creates hidden costs

Protection of cigar smoke shops or stores, small business goes to the broader impact of smoking on all businesses, according to Frank Chaloupka, an economics professor and director of the Center for Health Research at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Business themselves are part of the cost of tobacco on their employees,” he said. “Their staff smoking will miss more time at work. They pay higher health insurance contributions because of their habit. I think it’s kind of short-sighted.”

At that time the FDA takes action, the GAO report suggests that progress in this direction is related to fixing the current tax loopholes that give preference to pipe tobacco and cigars, making them great alternatives on the market,” Waxman said on Tuesday. He added that the fiscal correction may be part of a larger tax bill is considered in the lame duck session after the November elections. More immediately, the Senate bill passed the transportation reauthorization includes provisions that would prevent the growth of a roll of their own vehicles by assigning smoke shops that have machine manufacturers. House may not vote on this issue, and freshman Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., Has 59 co-sponsors of the bill that would do it.

Tobacco use continues to decline

Smoking opponents say the tax loopholes are secondary to more important and positive news about the health of reducing tobacco consumption among Americans, as a result of the April 2009 increase in taxes when the federal excise tax on a pack of cigarettes rose to $ 1.06. Percentage of American adults who smoke decreased from 20.6 percent in 2009 to 19.3 percent in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “When you look at the federal tax increase, a public health because the victory of tobacco consumption has decreased, and this victory, because the budget revenues increased,” said Danny McGoldrick, vice president for research at Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

“And we would like to add that this is a political victory, because the tax on tobacco products is one of the few taxes the vast majority of the population in support of both parties. It would be a great public health victory and win the big incomes, if we could eliminate these loopholes that tobacco companies are behind the wheel of his truck to the end. “Cigarette sales have fallen by about 11 percent from 17.3 billion packs in the 12 months before the tax increase to 15.4 billion packs in the 12 months after the high rate of entry into force, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

While most states are discussing a tax increase on cigarettes, Rhode Island is once again considering their decline. “It is clear that taxes on cigarettes in Rhode Island are high, especially in comparison with many of the neighboring countries’ Stephen Ryan, executive director of the New England C-Store Association (NECSA), reported tobacco use E-News.

So Ryan glad to see that the state House Finance Committee next week to discuss the legislation put forward by state Rep. Robert Phillips reduction in state taxes cigarettes at $ 1 to $ 2.46 pack. The proposal seeks to manage the Phillips consumers to Rhode Island businesses and from outlets in neighboring states with lower tax rates. “I know that we are in a constant state of anxiety about trying to find more money, but critics of the bill, who say reducing taxes on cigarettes will have a negative impact on government revenues is very myopic view of how it could help us,” said Phillips at the beginning of this year. “Unfortunately, we live in a small country. It is easy to operate across the border in Massachusetts and Connecticut, even if you do not live in a border community. This is not a problem in other countries have the right now.”

NECSA backup support of Phillips. “Sure,” Ryan said, “If you look at the tax rates of many neighboring states, he put Rhode Island retailers at a competitive disadvantage.”

The bill, however, is an uphill battle. Phillips was such a bill rejected by the state last year. Further complicating matters is the fact that New Hampshire, say they did pass a modest decline in cigarette tax in 2011, did not see positive results. During the first four months after the 10 percent rollback was enacted, New Hampshire collected $ 77.5 million in cigarette taxes – $ 3.5 million or 4.3% less than predicted by the legislative budget. Last year, the state collected $ 84 million during this time.

But Rhode Island is a very different situation. Even before the decline, New Hampshire boasts a relatively low state tax $ 1.68, compared to Rhode Island the current $ 3.46 per pack. The tax rate in Maine is $ 2 per pack, Vermont is $ 2.62, Massachusetts is $ 2.51 (the proposed march to $ 3.01 per pack) and Connecticut averaged $ 3.40 sales tax per pack. In a state as small as Rhode Island, lowering the tax rate by $ 2.46 could lead to a huge increase in sales for retailers – and not just from the sale of cigarettes, advocates say. “Obviously, there is a connection between the consumer, who come to buy a product like cigarettes and other products raised on the road,” said Ryan NECSA. “It’s not just a question of what a product is sold at a competitive price – we are talking about additional sales without tobacco products in this store.

“What it translates to is more money in Rhode Island,” said State Rep. John J. Edwards (D), co-author of the bill. “The economy is not booming right now, so that our small businesses are struggling as it is. We need to remain competitive. Dealers in my community is often said that people come into their stores to buy a pack of cigarettes and go to the newspapers, candy and other items too. “In states like Massachusetts, California and Missouri, all offer a tax increase, it is certainly worth watching as a reduction in taxes on cigarettes could help Rhode Island retailers.

Like you, I am against raising taxes in Missouri, particularly in a weak economy. But there is one exception, the time has come: the tax on cigarettes of Missouri. The General Assembly should give the opportunity to vote in Missouri, a moderate increase in the cigarette tax.

The current situation is well known. Missouri has the lowest tax on cigarettes in the 50 states, at 17 cents per pack – the rate established for almost 20 years ago. Higher state taxes on cigarettes, New York, put a fee of $ 4.35 on each pack. The 25th largest state tax on cigarettes, Iowa, put a tax of $ 1.36 on each pack. Even the tobacco producing states such as South Carolina and Kentucky have higher cigarette taxes than Missouri.

Government policy contributes to the cigarette tax, which makes somewhere in the middle of Missouri, about 90 cents per pack. This change will create about 400 million dollars a year in new revenue.

At present, the problem with the budget and the health challenges facing our state is equally well known. Missouri spends more money for Medicaid to provide health care for smoking-related diseases than we get from all the cigarette tax. In 2004, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that tobacco-related illnesses cost the Medicaid program of our country 532 million dollars, and these costs only rose with inflation. However, Missouri has collected only $ 90 million last year, taxes on cigarettes.

Looking through the lens, the General Assembly is to subsidize smoker’s patients with more than 400 million dollars a year. In accordance with current tax legislation, Missouri became the enterprise zone for cigarettes. I am a convinced supporter of the enterprise zone, but not for cigarettes.

To our legislative leaders, I would say that the tax on cigarettes will rise. Missouri will not remain in 50th place for a long time.

I propose to increase tax on cigarettes by 73 cents per pack, placing Missouri thirty-third of the 50 states. $ 400 million in new revenues should be directed at creating the educational infrastructure of Missouri, with an emphasis on higher education, and health problems of our state in need of care. Such proposals should be submitted to the people in November, so that Missourians can decide.

This plan aims to address two important problems.

First, the proposal addresses a serious public health problem. Missouri ranks second to smoking per capita in the country. Many people are addicted to smoking begins in adolescence. Alarmingly, almost 19 percent of Missouri students smoke cigarettes. Using the increase in incomes for the treatment of smoking-related diseases and to promote cessation programs are not only prevents premature death in our state, but also makes compelling economic sense.

Second, he appeals to the devastating cuts in funding have been to college and university of Missouri in the last 10 years. Adjusted for inflation, Missouri’s higher education system has been reduced by 34 percent since 2001.

Fifteen years ago, the office of Missouri Attorney General settled its landmark case against the tobacco industry. This settlement was a turning point in public attitudes towards smoking-related risk, and it has brought more than a billion dollars in general fund revenues over the past decade, Missouri. However, because of the tax on cigarettes of Missouri is the lowest in the country, smoking-related state of our health problems are among the highest in the country.

The General Assembly should take action before people are forced to act on its behalf by the initiative process. Our government must use this money in such a way as to improve public health, promotes education and provides real benefits to our citizens. Miss this opportunity means not our responsibility to elect leaders of Missouri.

In spite of the urgent need for revenue, and the fact that the doctor has found that millions of young Americans continue to smoke, in a report published today in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that several states have increased cigarette taxes in 2011. Increasing taxes on cigarettes have been proven to raise revenue even while reducing smoking, especially among children.

Only three states adopted a relatively small tax increase on cigarettes in 2011 – the smallest of the state to do so since 2000 – and New Hampshire even reduce the tax on cigarettes by 10 cents per pack. No state has adopted a tax increase on cigarettes as early as this year. For comparison, an average of more than 10 years of increased taxes on cigarettes between 2001 and 2010, and 15 countries (including the District of Columbia) did it in 2009.
This failure to increase taxes on cigarettes is part of a broader pullback in public efforts to reduce tobacco consumption, which undermines the fight against the country’s number one cause of preventable death. States also cut funding for tobacco control and cessation programs by 36 percent ($ 260.5 million) during the past four years and provide only 12 percent of the funding CDC recommends. Progress in the adoption of state tobacco laws, which include all workplaces, restaurants and bars, is also slowed.

If the people will continue to reduce tobacco consumption, the state must do more to increase tobacco taxes and implement other proven solutions. It is no coincidence that the country’s progress in reducing smoking has slowed down at the same time that states have reduced their efforts. This is a monumental mistake of the state to take a step back because tobacco still kills more than 400,000 Americans and costs the people of almost 100 billion dollars a year on health care bill. States pay a lot of these costs through Medicaid and other health programs.
The recent pullback also comes as the tobacco industry and its allies, particularly convenience stores, have stepped up their efforts to fight cigarette tax increases and other measures to prevent smoking. In California, tobacco companies have already spent nearly $ 15 million initiative against the June ballot that will boost the state cigarette tax by $ 1 to fund cancer research and programs to prevent tobacco use. In Idaho, Altria Group (parent company of Philip Morris USA) has spent more than $ 165,000 lobbying against the $ 1.25 cigarette tax increase. The company spent more money lobbying government officials in 2011 than any other interest group.

New Hampshire learned the hard way that the state pays a high price for this auction the tobacco industry. Political allies in the industry to reduce the state tax on cigarettes by 10 cents in 2011, arguing that lower cigarette prices lead to increased revenue by attracting smokers from neighboring states. But cigarette manufacturers raised prices for the same time, tax cuts, leaving prices unchanged. Although tobacco companies profit, government revenues declined.
Tobacco companies oppose the tax increase on cigarettes for the same reason; health advocates support it – because it is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking, especially among children. Scientific evidence could not be clearer, which was confirmed in a report last doctor on tobacco released earlier this month. The doctor concluded, “Taxation of tobacco products is particularly effective in reducing their use among young people.”

Increased taxes on tobacco products is really a win-win win solution for the state – the health of the victory, which reduces the consumption of tobacco and save lives, a financial benefit that reduces tobacco-related health care costs and increase revenues to fund major programs, as well as political win that polls show , is popular with voters.
The report notes that tobacco use remains a “pediatric epidemic”, with more than 3.6 million middle and high school students are still smoking and the tobacco industry, the epidemic spreads, spending more than $ 10 billion a year – $ 1 million dollars every hour – marketing that attracts children.
Elected officials in each country face a simple question: whose side they are – Children of America or Big Tobacco? We encourage them to side with the children, supporting a cigarette tax increase and other proven measures to reduce tobacco consumption.

Series 2012 Bonds are issued to refinance all outstanding bonds of the body cigarette tax revenues and change the link documents to increase the share of government revenue from taxes on cigarettes are available for bonds while removing the function of the accelerated repayment of the bonds.
The rating outlook to stable.

SECURITYBonds of special and limited obligations of government debt on the state contract between the treasurer and the power exclusively from 100% of the proceeds of $ 0.65/pack state tax cigarettes are deposited in a special cigarette tax revenue fund held in the state treasury, subject to appropriation.

The main driving forces RATING
Revenues from taxes on cigarettes should be reduced: Cigarette tax collections, the only source of repayment of the bonds decreased slightly, and the degree of reduction of the future is uncertain. Cigarette sales affects repeated tax rate increases at the state and federal levels, as well as initiatives to reduce smoking. Future legislative and regulatory changes may adversely affect collections.

Higher levels of service coverage of debt: debt service coverage, and satisfactory improvement compared with the bonds shall be compensated as a percentage of revenues pledged to the bonds will be increased. In order to maintain a solid cover, even with the expected deterioration of pledged revenue source, the power of structured reduction in debt service profile.
Structure no longer includes the accelerated maturity: Fitch notes that, in accordance with the revised emissions do not need money for debt service and replenish the reserve fund will come from the state general fund and not used to pay off the bond. Reduction of final maturity and consolidation of debt service coverage provides an offset to the loss of function of the accelerated repayment of debt.

CLOSED emissions: emissions covered, and do not have permission to issue additional shares, protection from further use of the revenue.

CREDIT PROFILE
Bonds are being offered to refinance all outstanding series 2004 bonds issued to finance the deficit, support appropriations for fiscal year 2005 state budget. As part of the refinancing in 2004 and the issue of state contract will be modified to increase the number of pledged revenues to be deposited into special fund cigarette tax revenues and allow the release of the money not needed for debt service and reserve fund, increasing the state general fund. Fitch views favorably the simplified structure and increase the income subject to coverage under the new structure, and further notes that the reduction of the final maturity of the bonds provides an offset to the loss of function of the accelerated repayment of debt.

On a monthly basis, dedicated cigarette tax revenue fund, special fund in the state treasury, subject to legislative appropriation, receive an amount equivalent to the cigarette tax revenues from the State $ 0.65 for the tax package. Before income taxes on cigarettes may come into the fund to $ 151 million per year authorized the selection of two states, health-related funds must be met. After meeting the requirements to the dedication of all state revenues collected in cigarette taxes are applied to the fund to bring it to a level that would have been if, before the transfer was not done. At that time, the allocation of the fund back to $ 0.65/pack.

The Legislature may amend or supplement the act of the tax on cigarettes or use of revenues from taxes on cigarettes. The State can not pledge or covenant that it will not take any action that may adversely affect the collection of cigarette tax revenues sufficient to finance the appropriation. The tax on cigarettes are collected mainly from licensed distributors who receive cigarettes directly from manufacturers in other states, and thus, depending on the sales of cigarettes. Unless otherwise provided by law, all cigarette packs must be eliminated prior to the transfer from the original buyer in New Jersey. This tax is not imposed on other tobacco products.

Emissions closed and do not have permission to issue additional shares. Accordingly, no additional bonds tests and does not cover the annual demand. A smaller percentage of revenue from taxes on cigarettes has been available in the 2004 bonds are currently returning, but the money was to be used for debt service. Thus, the acceleration of debt repayment, although the open market purchases of surplus funds in the trap structure was designed at the time of sale of bonds, series 2004, and such acceleration has not happened. It will not feature the series 2012 bonds. The provision to compensate for this change is the expected reduction in the specified final maturity of five years, as well as enhanced coverage of debt. A fully funded debt service reserve fund is invested in GICs with CDC funding for corporations and Societe Generale, with an annual interest income to service debt.

Reducing cigarette consumption was expected, while in 2004 the sale of bonds, although actual figures were worse than expected, partly because state and federal tax increases implemented after the sale. New Jersey increased its cigarette tax rate doubled from the sale of bonds, of $ 2.40 per pack to the current $ 2.70 per pack, while the federal government increased the tax rate from $ 0.39 to $ 1.01 per pack into force April 1, 2009. In addition, the government introduced a state indoor smoking ban, except for the floors of the casino in 2006. While in 2004 the sale of bonds, the tax on cigarettes in New Jersey was the highest in the country, and now the state ranks 6th nationally, with New York is now the first, although the rate of New Jersey is still significantly higher than neighboring Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Report a consultant at the time of sale projected decline in New Jersey taxable cigarette sales by 2.0% – 2.4% annually until 2034, although the actual sales, as in fiscal 2004 were down an average of 4.2%. State sales rose 4.3% in fiscal 2011, but it reflects a significant New York tax increase, which led to an increase in cross-border purchases. A revised analysis of the expected consumption of cigarettes has been completed IHS Global Insight, and the expected reduction in the currently pegged at just over 3% per year until the final maturity of the bonds being offered, which will occur in fiscal 2029. In February 2012, the financial indicators of sales in 2012 decreased by 0.8% over the same period last fiscal year. Fitch believes that, other things being equal, baseline cigarette consumption over time will be reduced annually by 3% to 5%.

Covers debt service increases with respect to the Bonds shall be compensated as a percentage of revenues pledged to the bonds will be increased, as noted earlier. Projected debt service coverage, suggesting that the decline in cigarette sales by about 3% per year, is expected to be not less than 1.5 times (x) over the life of the bonds. If revenues decline by 5% a year, coverage is projected to remain above 1.3 until the final maturity.

There are no bondholder’s remedies in case of non-appropriation. Fitch recognizes that the government provides extensive support for government programs and capital accounts for a significant amount of tax-supported debt.

Additional information is available at “www.fitchratings.com. Higher ratings were solicited by or on behalf of the issuer and, therefore, Fitch was compensated for providing ratings.
In addition to information specified in the tax-supported criteria for Fitch, rating, this action was further reported information from IHS Global Insight.

Stephen Castro prefers to spend his days in his smoke-filled room, but not with the politicians in Annapolis, asking them not to raise taxes on the premium cigar that his stores feature.
Castro, owner of seven tobacco stores in Maryland, said that the legislative push for the strengthening of public revenues for higher taxes on tobacco products can operate stores, such as it is out of business.

Surrounding jurisdictions such as Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, is a tax premium cigar is less than the current 15 percent tax in Maryland.
Senate bill to raise the tax to 70 percent of smokeless tobacco, little cigars, chewing tobacco and tobacco free for cigarettes also includes a 20-percent tax on the premium cigars.
House version leaves a 15 percent tax on premium cigars, but to increase taxes on smokeless tobacco products to 55 percent.

Both bills increase the tax on cigarettes from $ 2 to $ 3 per pack.
Governor Martin O’Malley (D) was originally proposed 70 percent tax on premium cigars, which, if adopted, would force all state tobacco stores to close, Castro said.
The Joint Committee will meet to reconcile the various proposals.

Public health advocates who are lobbying to increase taxes on other tobacco products are not to seek a tax increase on premium cigars, said Vincent DeMarco of Maryland Health Care for all those who helped organize a press conference this week to call for raising the tax on other tobacco products.
The increase in taxes on other tobacco products will discourage young people from trying them, said Marco.

But premium cigars are already out of the price range of most young people, said Marco.
His organization has brought in a cancer survivor Gruen Von Behrens this week to meet with legislators. Behrens has lost much of his jaw, neck and tongue cancer, which he developed after the use of chewing tobacco before the age of 13 years. 25-year-old was about 30 operations, which left him disfigured.
But opponents of the tax increase say it’s just a way to increase revenue, and not to interfere with users.

“Maryland voters are tired of higher taxes disguised to hide cost overruns the government, and they are tired of what to do and how to behave,” said Bill Spann, Director General Trade Organization, the International Premium Cigar and Pipe Retailers Association of Columbus, Ga., who lobbied against the tax increase.
“We must speak out against higher taxes, more wasteful, and infantilization of American government and the people who think they know better,” said Spann.
Castro said he was less concerned about other tobacco products than it is about the potential impact of tobacco on 40 stores in the state.

His stores of tobacco, 90 percent of sales of premium cigars, which averaged about $ 4 each.
Other products such as smokeless tobacco snuff and cigars are mainly sold in small stores and gas stations, and they account for only 3 percent of sales in these stores.
“It’s not really going to hurt their business,” said Castro.

General Directorate of Intelligence and Research Internal Revenue (IR) of the Federal Tax Administration (FBR) seized a large number of vehicles carrying huge amount of tax-free tobacco / cigarettes in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (CPC) is currently the national authorities in respect of drive manufacturers and vendors of counterfeit / tax-free contraband cigarettes and tobacco.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the agency is also intercepting vehicles tobacco dealers and manufacturers involved in the design of cigarettes and tobacco products without charging / payment of federal excise tax.

The ongoing campaign against the manufacturers and suppliers of tax-free tobacco / cigarettes in the CCP has been completely stopped the supply of such facilities in shops and stores.
This is the biggest success of specialized intelligence Directorate General Intelligence IR capture such a large number of vehicles carrying duty free tobacco / cigarettes in the CCP.

A dedicated team of honest officers of the tax agency in the CCP has completely stopped supply chain without fee tobacco / cigarettes in the province.
A special team headed by an additional collector, known for his honesty, has created serious problems for the tax-free cigarette smugglers in the PDA, giving clear and loud message to the perpetrators, or ready to give up music.
This is a classic example of a performance drive in Pakistan, realizing that the faithful and honest tax officials can check the smuggling of goods in the CCP, if required.

Such an exercise will soon be launched in other areas after a successful drive of the CP.
Several morbidity / violation reports to the General Directorate of Intelligence IR clearly reflect that the level of compliance with the PDA the next disc of the agency fees are not against non-commercial tobacco / cigarettes in the CCP.
One of the reports of violation says that according to reliable information that some tobacco dealers and manufacturers involved in the design of cigarettes and tobacco products without charging / payment of federal excise duty livable thereon, a team consisting of the aforementioned officials and staff traveled to Supervision of the debt and took the vehicle registration bearing no GLT-5817 carrying 9474 kg.

They were asked to submit a FED account in accordance with the requirements in accordance with Article 82 of the Federal Excise Rules, 2005.
However, they could not imagine the same thing.
This shows prima view that the tobacco industry is not carried in violation of federal law excise in 2005 and the same is punishable under section 19 (3) (a), (b), (c) and 19 (11) Federal Excise Act in 2005.

In exercise of the powers under the Federal Excise Act 2005 the above products have been withdrawn with immediate effect.
Details of the other case it turned out that according to reliable information that some tobacco retailers and manufacturers involved in the design of cigarettes and tobacco products without charging / payment of Federal Excise Duty levlabie him, a team consisting of the aforementioned officers and employees went on supervision of debt and intercepted a car carrying 7646 kg net of non-tobacco industry.

Drivers were asked to provide FED account in accordance with the requirements in accordance with Article 82 of the Federal Excise Rules, 2005.
However, he could not imagine the same thing.
This shows prima view that the tobacco industry is not carried in violation of federal law excise in 2005 and the same is punishable under section 19 (3) (a), (b), (c) and 19 (11) Federal Excise Act 2005, and reimbursed in accordance with section 14 (1) of the Federal Excise Act 2005, along with default surcharge under section 8 of the Act in the same place (calculated at the time of payment).

In exercise of powers under the Federal Excise Act 2005, the above mentioned products have been withdrawn with immediate effect.
Anther case showed that, in accordance with reliable information that some tobacco dealers and manufacturers involved in the design of cigarettes and tobacco products without charging / payment of federal excise duty livable thereon, a team consisting of the aforementioned officers and employees went on supervision of debt and intercepted two cars carrying the registration number K-6514 carrying 300 boxes containing 150,000 packs of cigarettes and record the K-7298 carrying 300 boxes containing 1,50,000 packs of cigarettes.

They were asked to submit a FED accounts in accordance with the requirements of Article 18 of the Federal Excise Act 2005, two bills bearing Wed
No. 41 dated 07.03.2012 and the account no.
42 of 07.03.2012 were made that were considered.

Cross examination of the accounts of the account book is maintained at the plant through the manager, RTO, Peshawar located in the premises of the registered premises in accordance with section 45 of the Federal Excise Act, 2005, showed that the latter is due to the amount of the plant was Sr № 13/2012 dated 29/02/2012 So, both of these accounts shall be truck drivers, is completely different from the declared accounts of the book remains.

Excise InCharge registered person while explaining his position saying that the trucks were cleared from the premises of their “exclusive distributor” and that there is an invoice book from which invoices are issued.
He also confirmed that their “sole” is not registered, so it is billing bearing the name, registration number.
In connection with the foregoing, it was found that the device involved in the issuance of fraudulent bills for the supply of tax-free cigarettes through the maintenance of several books of accounts simultaneously.

The mere mention of the word “only” on the 2nd book of the account can not justify his position, but instead of feeding and the sales tax charged and collected by the second / fake account books can be recovered from the device in accordance with relevant provisions of the Federal Excise Act 2005 and the Sales Tax Act 1990.
In exercise of powers under the Federal Excise Act 2005, the above mentioned items, as well as transportation were removed with immediate effect.

This capture / violation report sent to Commissioner (IC), zone-II for the transfer order under section 14 read with section 46 (2A) of the Federal Excise Act 2005.
Directorate General of Intelligence and Research IR FBR also found this kind in many other cases reflects the remarkable performance of a special unit of exploration CPC, the sources added.

House panel rejected a proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes to Idaho of $ 1.25 per pack, with branding efforts of the Republican enemies of health groups to raise the barriers to adolescent smoking no more than social engineering.
As a result, 57 percent of Idaho’s tax package will remain low surrounding states.

Revenue and Taxation Committee’s vote against holding a full public hearing was 11-5, easily defeating a bill supported by groups including the American Lung Association and American Cancer Society.
Although no public testimony was made during the hearings were a lot of lobbyists in the room, including the health groups that contribute to the Idaho tax and shop representatives who claim that the price hikes of cigarettes will hurt their business.
Republican Reps. Lenore Barrett of Challis, and Vito Barbieri, Dalton Gardens, argue that the persuasion of people to quit by raising the cost of a legal product is not acceptable.

“This is the most egregious case of social engineering I’ve ever seen,” said Barrett.” This is not the correct role of government to do social engineering through tax policy.”
Others, including Rep. Del Raybould, R-Rexburg, afraid of hiking taxes on cigarettes may put undue hardship on low-wage workers, who continue to smoke and less money for their children.
Rep. Dick Harwood, R-St. Marie, had no doubt that smoking is really bad that people’s health, citing as his own mother smoked for 82 years.

“The fact that you smoke, does not mean that you are going to hurt,” said Harwood.
In the package of tax in Washington is just over $ 3, Utah and Montana collected $ 1.70 surcharge, Oregon is $ 1.18 and tax of 80 cents Nevada. Wyoming 60 cents.
Virginia has the lowest taxes in the country, only 30 cents per pack. In New York, the highest at $ 4.35.

Heidi is low, the American Cancer Society Cancer Network, told lawmakers that the statistics show that about 12,400 young people of Idaho will never start smoking and more smokers to 9400 other leave if they had to pay an additional $ 1.25 per pack for the privilege.
“This has been demonstrated time and time again that higher cigarette prices reduce youth smoking,” Low told lawmakers.

But the fears of conservative lawmakers over new taxes can easily overcome the counter, which is less than a thousand young people will pick up the habit, even thousands of smokers quit smoking and Idaho would be $ 50 million in new revenue to help address Medicaid costs from tobacco-related diseases.
Tobacco use costs Idaho $ 319 million a year in health costs associated with the $ 83 million, which takes on a taxpayer-funded Medicaid, in accordance with the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Tax revenue raised by the bill will be devoted to coverage of smoking-related health care costs.
“Call it a ‘social engineering’, if you want,” said Rep. Dennis Lake, R-Blackfoot, the sponsor of the bill.” I call it common sense.”

Along with the Democrats, however, the lake had joined only two other Republicans who supported the holding of public hearings: Reps. Ken Roberts of Donnelly, and Leon Smith, Twin Falls.
The debate on Monday, which lasted less than an hour, it was a long time.
The Democrats unsuccessfully last year to win such a meeting and spent a few days, forcing the Republicans to read the account in full, in protest against their requests are ignored.

Senate Budget and Taxation Committee heard testimony Wednesday on the proposed tour tax on cigars and smokeless tobacco products, which can reach 95%, but frees premium cigars.
If passed, Maryland would have the highest rate of tax on non-premium cigars and tobacco in the U.S., according to the Cigar Association of America.
“While smoking among school children has decreased by almost 40% since 2000, cigar use has increased more than 11% over the same period,” said Sen. Jennie Forehand, D-Montgomery, author of the tax.

She said the tax increase on “other tobacco products” (OTPs) to restrain the growth of the cigar and tobacco use have recently been reported among adolescents in the state. Almost 9% of male high school in Maryland to chew tobacco.
Forehand cited a survey campaign for Tobacco Free kids who have signed a tax increase on cigars, chewing tobacco will reduce teen tobacco use by 30% in the state. It trumpeted the success of the three cigarette tax hikes over the past ten years for a substantial reduction in smoking and smoking-related deaths in Maryland.

“As a result, three cigarette tax increase over the past ten years, we have reduced smoking by 32%, twice the national average,” said Forehand. “It has kept more than 200,000 Marylanders become addicted to cigarettes – more than 70,000 who have died horrible deaths caused by tobacco.”

The proposal also provides for an additional $ 1 tax per pack of cigarettes, that would add “another $ 100 million into the state treasury,” Forehand said. Revenues from the tax on OTPs net nearly $ 250 million through fiscal 2017, according to note the financial proposal.
Under the new tax rates, tax will be 95% of the wholesale price of cigars and do not exceed $ 3 per cigar. The tax on tobacco will be 95% of the wholesale price or $ 3 for a tin container, whichever is greater. Free of tobacco, or roll your own, will be taxed at $ 3 per 0.65 oz. Another 6% retail sales tax and then strike at the top of these new taxes.

Income tax free tobacco brought a strong rebuke from Dan Doherty of the Cigar Association of America, who said that the OTP tax on tobacco will lose a pound run $ 74 to 6% retail sales tax, bringing the retail price for a kilogram of loose tobacco and $ 110.

Forehand proposed an amendment to her bill that would exempt premium cigars, because “children do not usually buy premium cigars.” It also raised objections from Doherty, who oppose any tax increase OTP.
“When you start talking about the differences between cigars, very difficult to classify premium compared to the machine and at a lower price [cigars],” says Doherty. “This bill creates all kinds of administrative problems and ambiguities that may be illegal or even unconstitutional.”

Forehand said revenue will go to expanding health care and increase funding for smoking cessation in Maryland. She noted that 300,000 Marylanders received health coverage in 2007 increased the tax of cigarettes.
Sen. David Brinkley, R-Carroll, said that statistics showing less smoking by raising taxes was questionable, because raising taxes will force smokers to buy across state lines, where the price of cigarettes below.

“Cigarette sales have gone down, but that does not mean that tobacco use has declined,” said Brinkley. “Where I live in western Maryland, the tax holiday is just a few miles away. From my house I saw three other states. Transboundary sales are phenomenal, and we’re losing revenue.”

About one in three cigarettes in Coventry did not tax them, according to new research.
The city is the fourth largest city in the country ranking in the list of the worst cases of unpaid debt.
A survey conducted in tobacco products Philip Morris, found 30.3 percent of cigarettes in Coventry have been illegally sold.

According to the International Center for Tax and Investment, there are four main types of trafficking.
This trafficking – the illegal movement of tobacco products from one country to another without paying taxes, fraud – illegal production of cigarettes bearing the trademark without the consent of the owner, the local tax evasion – cigarettes produced for consumption, which are not declared to tax authorities and the illegal white – cigarettes produced legally in one country but are smuggled into other countries where there is no legal market for them.

Over the past year there have been several incidents in Coventry, the illicit trade in cigarettes.
In December, three people were arrested after customs officers found 15million illegal cigarettes during a raid in Coventry with a potential loss of the debt is estimated at 2.5 million pounds.

It was also found that trading standards officers in the city seized more than 500 000 cigarettes in the period from April to December, which should have made 182,707 pounds of taxes.
Across the UK, £ 3.1billion revenue lost as a result of the illicit trade in tobacco products, and the level of tax-free cigarettes has increased from 10.6 percent nationally in the second quarter of last year to 14 percent at the end of a year.

Will O’Reilly, a former detective chief inspector from Scotland Yard with the experience of more than 30 years in the CID, said:
“The same networks that have historically been considered in hard drugs, illegal firearms trafficking and terrorism, is currently funding and organization of illegal trade.
“For them it is a growing source of revenue with much less risk and penalties, if caught, compared to negligible.

“If you buy a cheap pack of cigarettes, that money will eventually support organized crime.
“Every cigarette is a means availability of drugs on our streets and gun crimes or terrorist acts.
“This is not questioning the fact that hazardous substances may be in them.”
Coventry was the fourth city after Crowley’s worst, with 31.5 percent, Lisburn, Northern Ireland, 43.3 percent and Newtownabbey, as well as in Northern Ireland, 68.4 per cent.

Some legislators are puffing and panting on the bill, currently matriculating through the legislature that would regulate and enforce the tax on rolls your own retailers of cigarettes.
Rep. Ross Hunter (D – 48th District Bellevue) proposed second substitute House Bill 2565, which was recommended from the Ways and Means Committee on 27 February, 19.08 votes.

Measures that came out of committee require the deployment of its own retail sales of cigarettes in order to become certified, and certification pay an annual fee of $ 100. Retailers also need to buy stamps for the collection of taxes on tobacco products. The stamps will be affixed to containers roll their own cigarettes and the bill requires the customer to carry out their cigarettes in these containers.

Replace the bill also provides that retailers may only sell tobacco products that meet the requirements of certification in accordance with the agreement of the master agreement between the state and tobacco companies, as well as roll your own car should be equipped with meters to count the number of cigarettes produced.
The General Agreement settlement was established in 1998. Tobacco companies in the U.S. reached an agreement with 46 states, including Washington, where the state to abandon its claims that the company violated consumer protection and antitrust laws. In turn, the tobacco companies will pay the state to reimburse the taxpayers’ money used to care for patients with smoking-related disease.

Washington State received $ 4.5 billion spread over 25 years as compensation for the money.
The agreement also established new restrictions on big tobacco, including bans on advertising of minors, as well as advertising and marketing restrictions. It also helps to fund tobacco control education.

Customers using a roll of their own cars usually buy tobacco from retailers. The tax rate on tobacco products in Washington, DC Currently, 95 percent of the taxable sales price and the tax rate on the carton of cigarettes cost $ 30.25, nearly a third of the total cost. The box includes 200 cigarettes. Customers who choose to hide their cigarettes to pay almost half their tobacco than those who buy cigarettes.

The legislation will ultimately require the deployment of its own customers to pay more.
Representative Bill Hinkle (R – 13th District, Cle Elum) is a staunch opponent of the measure. “I want to kill the bill,” said Hinkle. “This is bad law.”

Hinkle believes that Democrats are trying to make money and as a result cause the roll your own cigarettes stores out of business.
“This is a topcigarettes.biz/classic-cigarettes example of the Olympia collection of winners and losers,” said Hinkle.
Officials in Washington State Department of Health believe that the bill addresses the issue of public health.

“One of the ways you can prevent smoking is to charge higher taxes on cigarettes,” said Tim Church, communications director of the Department of Health. The Church believes that the roll your own cigarettes should be taxed as well.
“Overall, our feelings cigarette cigarette cigarettes,” he said. “All that you call it, it will kill you.”

Officials in the office of the Attorney General had problems with the mechanics of the original bill. According to Robert Fallis, Assistant Attorney General, the original action failed to meet the requirements of the master settlement agreement will be executed. However, to replace Bill Hunter is more in accordance with the contract.

Officials in the office of the Attorney General does not have an opinion about the roll of their own cars must exist, but they are concerned about how a legislative solution to combat the problem, said Fallis.
According to Hunter, the replacement of the bill has the same effect as the original account, but also eliminates potential problems with the original bill would have created the tobacco settlement.

Roll-your own tobacco will pay is equivalent to a regular cigarette buyers pay, says Hunter.
Hunter believes that to make myself smoke shops are created to avoid taxes on cigarettes and those lawmakers should not make the argument that they need to stay in business.

“I understand that it does not sound like sympathy and pity,” said Hunter. “I think everyone should pay the same taxes on cigarettes.”
The legislation would add about $ 13 million in revenue per year, he said.
Manager Steve Castle cheap smokes in Seattle and serves about 500 customers who roll their own cigarettes.
Patrons come to the store to buy cigarettes an empty pipe, tobacco, and are free to rent a car. They end up paying about $ 40 visit, noted Castle.

Castle, in contrast to the legislation. “It frustrates me completely,” he said. “They put me out of business.”
He believes that if the bill passes, it will close all the DIY shops in Washington smoking.
The castle was the challenge and sends it to legislators, as well as collecting signatures for a petition to block the measure. His shop employs two workers.

Castle believes that the proponents of the bill to help the big tobacco companies, while small shuttering of private enterprise.
The measure must pass through both houses of the Legislature on March 8, the governor must sign it before it becomes law.

Increasingly, smokers are taking control over the cost of their habit of rolling a cigarette.
Of course, the costs of smoking tobacco taxes, which tend to be higher than normal sales tax. The state tax on a pack of cigarettes in West Virginia is 55 cents.

West Virginia Senate passed a bill Monday to apply the 55 percent tax “roll your own” cigarettes rolled in retail stores. Currently, smokers are paying the 7 percent tax on the wholesale cost of loose tobacco, which is less in taxes on cigarettes.

The tax authority estimates the changes will generate about $ 500,000 to $ 750,000 in revenue per year. Individually rolled cigarettes account for about two percent of the sale of tobacco products in West Virginia.

However, the locally most smokers buy cigarettes and tobacco products on the side of the Kentucky River Tug, whether to reduce their supply of cigarettes or cartons and packs of cigarettes.

“At least 50 percent of our business to roll your own supply”, Brnda Whisement, manager of Fast Lane Tobacco Appalachian Plaza, he said. “It’s not just cost savings. People say that it is more natural tobacco with no additives.”

In Kentucky, the tax rate on packs of 20 cigarettes is 60 cents. Other tobacco products, which includes the roll your own tobacco is taxed at 15 per cent of the gross revenue.
Tax on items such as paper tubes used to roll a cigarette rolling machines and regular sales tax of 6 percent.

Whisment said tobacco prices start at $ 9.99 per bag of $ 14.99 to $ 33 per one pound bag. Paper tubes are $ 2.49 per box of 200. These supplies will make about three cartons of cigarettes or 600.
At one time, the cost of cigarettes camp ranges from $ 30 to $ 44.99.
The cost of carton of cigarettes ranges from $ 30 to $ 45 plus taxes. That is, ten packs of 20, or 200 cigarettes.

“It costs less than half,” Mingo County smoker and resident Jennifer Estepp, he said.
Estepp rolled his cigarettes when tobacco companies began to put additives in tobacco that keeps the cigarette from burning when he did not smoke as a measure of protection against fire. But the economy is its primary concern.

“I can control the quality of tobacco”, Estepp said. “Even taking into account the amount of time I spend them rolling, I roll cigarettes so expensive though, I do not think I ever go back to the pre-defined one.”

The bill, which would raise taxes on cigarettes in West Virginia to help pay for better health of the state 1.8 million people are currently introduced in both houses, as the state legislature is close to halfway through the 2009 regular session.

Sen. Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, is a leading sponsor of SB420, which would increase the excise tax on a pack of cigarettes from 55 cents to $ 1.20 on average across the country. A companion bill (HB2746) was introduced in the House of Delegate Don Perdue, D-Wayne.

The $110 million in increased tax revenue each year that would result if the tax is increased would be used to help promote healthy lifestyles for the state’s 1.8 million residents. Perdue said he expects the Senate to take up the bill first.

Another bill recommended by the interim study and presented last week, would require chain restaurants post calorie counts in places where visitors can easily see the information. He also faces serious opposition from the restaurant business.

There was also bad news for the governor and legislative leaders last week on the expected budget surplus of $ 22 million at the end of the fiscal year of the state on June 30. Deputy Secretary Mark Muchow income said loss of tax revenue could force the Governor Joe Manchin to review its proposed 2009-2010 state budget for the year starting July 1, 2009.

Muchow said tax revenues February was $ 45 million less than predicted, prompting House Finance Chairman Harry K. White, D-Mingo, to predict that the governor “is likely to come to us for the next week or so with a decrease in forecast revenues next budget year.”

The first bill to reduce taxes and cleared its first committee last week, when the House Agriculture Committee approved HB2521, which will lead to a decrease in the wholesale tax on heating oil, kerosene, propane and other fuel supply road.

Delegate Harold Michael, D-Hardy, is one of the sponsors of the bill, and he said that it would cost the state about $ 1.8 million. According to him, the law removes the portion of fuel taxes dedicated to highway funding, because “it was never intended that these products are to pay tax on road users.”

Legislation has also been introduced on both sides (SB92 and HB2931) on the abolition of the severance tax on timber for the next three years, which would reduce state revenues by $ 1 million each year. Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas, said last month he believes that the tax should be eliminated, having learned that surrounding states do not have this tax.

District judges will be required to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or four years experience as a judge, to be eligible for this position in accordance with the terms of HB 2840, which was introduced by Delegate Jim Morgan, D-Cabell, and three other members of the House of Delegates.

Morgan said the 107,158 current district judges in West Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Appeal to support the bill.

House of Delegates passed two bills to deal with internal problems of relations. One (HB2694) would prohibit any changes to the custody of children when one parent in the Armed Forces of the United States. Other (HB2738) will change the way the court protective orders in cases of domestic violence are distributed in a way that these orders are easily accessible to all law enforcement agencies of the state. And now to be considered in the Senate.

The Senate finally passed the first bill last week, including SB239, which will reduce from 55 percent majority to a simple majority, one vote more than 50 percent must be approved by agreement between the Government of the metro district and town in the district.

The bill applies only to counties with a population over 150,000, which limits its impact on the Kanawha County only.

The bill, which attracted the most attention in the Legislature last week, although the sponsor is the first to admit it will never make it out of committee, was HB2918, sponsored by Delegate Jeff Eldridge, D-Lincoln. He wants to ban sale of Barbie dolls and “other similar dolls that promote or influence girls to place too much importance of physical beauty to the detriment of their intellectual and emotional development.”

Father of 13-year-old son, Eldridge said that he “hates the myth that if you’re beautiful you do not have to be smart.”

At least one tax increase approved by lawmakers during the three days of the legislative interim committee to the governor’s speech outlining its program for 2009-2010 budget.

Joint Subcommittee of Finance dealing with problems associated with the state about 400 volunteer fire departments recommended that the bill would increase the state tax on premiums of 0.55 cents per $ 100 premium of 0.75 cents. Expected annual income of a new $ 5 million will be used to help provide up to $ 12,000 to volunteer fire departments of individual years of service retirement plan for volunteers when they retire.

Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, said the volunteer fire departments are having trouble attracting new members and “is that we can be proud.” Sen. Ed Bowman, D-Hancock, and threw only special voting rights in Subcommittee on the grounds that it is not a good time for any tax increases.

The next day, Senate Finance Chairman Walt Helmick, D-Pocahontas, called for tax cuts, saying that it was time, the state severance tax on timber ends, after hearing the state Forester Randy paint to say that it puts the timber industry of the state at a disadvantage, because other States do not impose a severance tax. Dye said logging companies in West Virginia severance tax to pay four per cent, which is calculated from the value of the tree when it is cut.

“According to our laws, broke the wood product at the moment it hits the ground,” said the paint members of the commission to review forest management.

Members of the Republican minority in the House of Delegates also outlined his goals of tax reform at a press conference before the start of the session last week.

Lance Armstrong, the Tour de France champion and cancer survivor, gets behind California’s Proposition 29, which would raise taxes on cigarettes to fund cancer research and other programs.

Reporting from Sacramento—

The proposal is simple: Raise taxes on cigarettes to pay for cancer research.

The impetus for it is typical of California, the merger and the ability to sell celebrity whims of state voters, who are increasingly called upon to address key policy issues.

A street vendor on the proposal 29, which will appear on the ballot in June, seven-time Tour de France champion and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who asks voters to increase the tax on a pack of cigarettes by $ 1. On Wednesday, he announced a $ 1.5 million contribution to the Texas base for even 29 campaigns.

“We believe that Prop. 29 will save lives, stop children from smoking and just might lead us to treatment,” he told reporters in a conference call.

If approved, this measure will raise more than $ 850 million a year, according to the nonpartisan legislative analyst with the state. The money will be used to fund cancer research, to build new facilities and research assistance to anti-smoking programs. Three percent of the reception wills Attorney General and local law enforcement agencies in combating the black market for cigarettes and crack down on retailers who sell tobacco products to minors.

The new nine-member citizen committee will distribute the money. The Governor and Director of Public Health will appoint a majority of the panel, which will also include the rectors of the University of California campuses at Berkeley, San Francisco and Santa Cruz.

Mark Paul, a former treasurer of the MP and co-author of “California Crackup”, a book on public administration, protests that this measure does not address the most pressing financial needs of the state.

“Like many other initiatives, it plays on the emotions of people,” he said. “Who likes to cancer? No one does. But when we increase training at universities and reduce the school year … and the closure of essential services, this is where we should spend our money?”

Those actively fighting measures, including tobacco companies and anti-tax group, the object that he raised the money will be distributed without any control by the legislature or any other elected officials.

“Proportional 29 the mandate of a huge new bureaucracy with little accountability of taxpayers,” said Teresa Casazza, President of the Assn of California taxpayers.

Philip Morris spent $ 2.5 million on campaign consultants and polling to strengthen its position in relation to the initiative, and this number is expected to multiply as the June 5 main approaches to the election.

Jim Knox, spokesman for the American Cancer Society, defends the measure, noting that tobacco companies have blocked dozens of proposed tax increase on their products to the Legislature.

“Using tobacco taxes to pay for cancer research makes sense,” he said. “Tobacco use causes cancer. Connection is very direct.”

Armstrong, who said he’ll campaign so far, in California, when his triathlon training schedule allows, is the latest celebrity to use the voting public to press animal causes.

In 1998, actor and director Rob Reiner successfully pushed 50 cents per pack tax on tobacco to pay for child development programs. Second Rainer supported the proposal, the growth of income taxes to fund universal preschool upper, was strongly rejected by voters in 2006. Arnold Schwarzenegger persuaded voters in 2002 to devote part of the state taxes, after school programs in the movement, which has become a test for the governor’s proposal for next year.

Armstrong has helped to convince the voters of Texas to transfer $ 3 billion bond measure for tobacco research in 2007. He has sent mixed signals about his political aspirations, but left the door open on Wednesday, saying the run was not in his plans “at this point in my life.” He said that he could trigger cancer, similar to measures relating to other states.

Armstrong and his allies, including the American Heart Assn. and the American Lung Assn., in addition to the American Cancer Society, California will promote their cause to the public that rejected a variety of tax increases in recent years, including tobacco taxes. In 2006, in addition to the denial of income tax measure Reiner, voters rejected a proposal to increase taxes on cigarettes by $ 2.60 pachku reimburse hospitals for treating uninsured patients, and expanded health insurance for children.

Least this year, was conceived by former state Senate leader and cancer survivor Don Perata, a Democrat from Oakland, who intended to combine with his run for mayor there in 2010. This initiative would give him a high-profile champion of the cause, as he appealed to voters to trust him.

Perata work of Armstrong, but ultimately scotched measures in 2010 vote, after anti-cancer group asked him to wait until they have helped to REFIN

Smokers and dippers so can be fired a little more dough to his nicotine habit, if three legislators have their way in this session.

A fresh bill to the Senate meeting on Tuesday, a trip tax on cigarettes and smokeless tobacco may generate up to $ 120 million.

As already mentioned, this measure will jack the tax on cigarettes by $ 1.55 per pack, or $ 1 increase.

The tax on smokeless would be from the current rate of 7 percent of the wholesale price by 50 percent.

Up to $ 60 million will be put into a special account, known as “The West Virginia Foundation for Healthy Future.”

From The Department of Health and Human Resources will receive $ 27 million for the implementation of prevention and cessation programs, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and any remaining cash will be assigned to the Legislature on an annual basis.

“The reason for this is from my point of view, the consequences for human health. This reduces the prevalence of smoking by a certain percentage, especially young people.”

Not only that Foster argues, but the higher the tax will ultimately save the state money in future health care costs.

“Despite how people quit smoking, it will reduce a little bit of money you get from the taxes,” said the surgeon, Charleston.

Foster said he wanted the proceeds of the tax, if approved, dedicated to public health.

“In the public health of a purist, you should not worry about that much as long as the tax on the ground that it would raise prices and keep some people from the beginning to make some people stop and possibly reduce the number of people who smoke in Overall, because the costs, “he said.

There are some however, who see it as a tax on the poor, and Foster believes that this is unfortunate.

“Many of these people can stop,” he said.

“My hope is to provide services that will be one source of money for the consecration of the termination of services to people who want to stop, it’s hard to stop, and really can not afford to continue to smoke at the entrance, where they can stay, and so much more money. ”

Another physician, Sen. Ron Stollings, D-Boone, who heads the Health and Human Resources and Finance Committee, Chairman Roman Prezioso, D-Marion, are the other sponsors.

Prezioso prefer to see some of the proposed tax increase to go into the problem through Medicaid.

“I would put it in Medicaid,” he said. “That’s where I want to go.”

Prezioso said Legislature is faced with a difficult task in the next year to find $ 200 million for Medicaid.

“We cover all accounts, this year,” said the chairman of the financing.

“We have money in a trust fund of the budget after this year. There are no other options. You are either going to raise other taxes or other charges, or you’re going to reduce services to Medicaid. This is a difficult decision.”

Prezioso said he prefers to find the tax “can we live with today, put it in place, and to devote these funds Medicaid».

“This is where it is needed,” he said.

“This will be our biggest challenge next year.”

Foster admitted the increase in tobacco taxes – any such campaign, for that matter – is not an easy task in an election year.

“Nobody likes to raise taxes,” he said.

“But if you poll people, regardless of political affiliation or ideology, more than 60 percent of the population supports a tax increase on cigarettes. Seems to good policy, and is a good policy.”